Avian Management, Biology and Conservation

After completion of the Avian Management, Biology and Conservation Course, students will:

• Train potential avian managers how to create a successful program that addresses both the care standards for avian species and the development of conservation programs

• Provide processes and techniques to manage bird collections on a broader scale than one species or taxa

• Provide a common base of knowledge to the next generation of managers in an efficient way

• Provide a mechanism to educate managers on avian welfare

• Provide a wealth of knowledge and resources to small institutions who may not have the expertise required to effectively manage a diverse collection

Monday
-  Student registration 4:30-6:30 PM
 - Opening evening ceremony 6:30-7:00 PM
 - Courses meet for individual opening session/class 7:00-8:30 PM 

Mid-Week
- Classes meet all-day

Saturday
- Classes meet through mid-afternoon 
- Closing Ceremony 5:30-7:30 

Attendance is required for course participants for the duration of the course until the evening of the last day. As a result, individuals generally depart the following day, Sunday. Attendees will receive a detailed schedule for their course after their registration is confirmed.  

Hannah Bailey, Conservation Program Manager - Hawai‘i Endangered Bird Conservation Program, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance
Joe Barkowski, VP of Animal Conservation & Science - Tulsa Zoo
Sunny Nelson, VP of Conservation and Science - Lincoln Park Zoo 
Scott Newland, President & CEO - Sedgwick County Zoo
Kathy Russell, General Curator - Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo
Anne Tieber, Curator of Birds - Saint Louis Zoo

This course is targeted toward today’s and tomorrow’s avian managers. This may include zookeepers or other staff looking toward a future in managing collections as well as current managers at zoos, aquariums, nature centers, aviaries, wildlife agencies and related organizations who are interested in exploring new skills, techniques and methods to more successfully manage their roles. Facilities with a single broad taxonomic animal manager will also benefit from the techniques and processes provided in the course. Regardless of your current role or desire to manage collections, all participants will increase their knowledge and set goals for the future.

Topics (with an avian management focus) covered will include:

• Collection Planning
• Avian Care (Health & Nutrition)
• Acquisition/Disposition
• Welfare
• Reproductive Management
• Behavioral Management
• Facilities
• Conservation
• Staffing/Leadership

Prerequisites
None. Priority will be given to AZA members. Those not affiliated with an AZA-accredited institution will be considered on a case-by-case basis;  please submit a letter describing your intended benefit from taking this course to azatraining@aza.org for consideration.

As a science-based organization, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums encourages all registrants, instructors, speakers, sponsors, exhibitors and staff attending AZA meetings, courses and events to be up-to-date with vaccinations of all kinds, including COVID-19 and flu vaccinations.

Registrants are required to agree to the Attendee Liability Waiver and Assumption of Risk Policy (below) upon registering, agreeing to comply with any state or local mask mandates in place for indoor events until further notice. If no mask mandate is in place, attendees are encouraged to wear masks if they wish, but not required.

ATTENDEE LIABILITY WAIVER AND ASSUMPTION OF RISK POLICY 

Attendee assumes all risks and accepts sole responsibility for any injury (including, but not limited to, personal injury, disability, and death), illness, damage, loss, claim, liability, or expense, of any kind, that attendee may experience or incur in connection with attending the EVENT. Attendee hereby releases, covenants not to sue, discharges, and holds harmless ASSOCIATION, its employees, agents, and representatives, of and from any such claims, including all liabilities, claims, actions, damages, costs, or expenses of any kind arising out of or relating thereto.

Specifically relating to the global COVID-19 pandemic, attendee acknowledges the highly contagious nature of COVID-19 and voluntarily assumes the risk of exposure or infection by attending the EVENT, and that such exposure or infection may result in personal injury, illness, disability, and/or death to attendee. Attendee understands that the risk of becoming exposed to or infected by COVID-19 at the EVENT may result from the actions, omissions, or negligence of others who may attend the event or their families, colleagues, or others with whom they may have contact. Accordingly, attendee understands and agrees that this release includes any claims based on the actions, omissions, or negligence of ASSOCIATION, its employees, agents, and representatives, whether a COVID-19 infection occurs before, during, or after participation in the EVENT.

In addition to all other rules and regulations relating to the attendee’s attendance at the EVENT, attendee agrees to comply with all COVID-related procedures that may be implemented by ASSOCIATION and EVENT VENUE, including, but not limited to, mask-wearing and social distancing requirements and restrictions on certain activities that carry higher COVID-related risk, in order to protect as much as possible, the health and safety of all EVENT attendees.

Air Travel
Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) is the closest airport. Airport Limousine Plus and First Class Limo provide a shuttle service between PIT and the hotel.

Lodging
Please visit the Wheeling Student Information page.

Course participants stay at Oglebay Resort & Conference Center in Wheeling, West Virginia and classes meet on-site. All lodging reservations are priced per person at a package rate. Your accommodations will include breakfast, lunches, dinners, and snacks throughout the entirety of your stay. 

Please wait until you are admitted into the course before making your reservations. You will receive an email containing detailed information once you are admitted.

Registration for this course is not open at this time.

The registration fees below were from February 2023, and covered tuition. Other expenses include hotel, travel, and meals. Registration prices are subject to change each year. 

AZA Accredited / Certified Institutions*
Early Bird Rate: Deadline 12 weeks prior to course start date
$1125 with Individual AZA Membership 
$1325 without Individual AZA Membership

Regular Rate: Deadline 4 weeks prior to course start date
$1325 with Individual AZA Membership 
$1525 without Individual AZA Membership

*This pricing is for anyone currently employed at an AZA accredited/certified institution.
Individual Membership must be Professional Affiliate or Professional Fellow to qualify.

Non-AZA Institutions*
Early Bird Rate: Deadline 12 weeks prior to course start date
$1325 with Individual AZA Membership

Regular Rate: Deadline 4 weeks prior to course start date
$1525 with Individual AZA Membership

*This pricing is for anyone who is not currently employed at an AZA accredited/certified institution.
Individual Membership must be Professional Associate to qualify.

Registration prices are subject to change.

For information regarding our registration and refund policies, please visit our Professional Development Course Policies page. Accepted forms of payment for registration are by credit card, check, or purchase order. 

To register with a credit card
You may now register and pay online with a credit card. After logging in, choose "Professional Development" from the menu on the left. Next, click on the title of the event for which you would like to register. Finally, choose "Event Registration" from the options at the top and complete the registration process. You will receive an acceptance email or waitlist email once acceptance decisions are made. 

To register with a check or purchase order
Please email your request to register, specifying the course and the name of whom you would like to register, to the Professional Development Coordinator.
Checks sent for course payment will be cashed immediately upon receipt as per standard business practices. Cashing your check does not indicate that you have been accepted into a course. You will receive an acceptance email or a waitlist email once acceptance decisions are made. If you are not admitted into the course from the waitlist, a full refund will be promptly issued.

*Prices are subject to change